Nearly 19.5 million people in Sudan face acute food insecurity with famine risk persisting across multiple regions, according to new data from the United Nations Children’s Fund. The humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate as conflict disrupts food systems and humanitarian access remains severely constrained. This represents one of the world’s largest food security emergencies, affecting nearly 40% of Sudan’s population.
Sudan Food Insecurity Crisis by Numbers
People facing different levels of acute food insecurity, 2024
food insecurity
malnourished
severe malnutrition
Source: UNICEF, 2024 | Georgian Medical Journal News
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Across Sudan
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has created a cascading humanitarian emergency that threatens millions of lives. UNICEF’s latest assessment reveals that 3.7 million children under five are acutely malnourished, with 755,000 facing severe acute malnutrition that puts them at immediate risk of death.
Healthcare systems have collapsed in many regions, leaving families without access to basic medical care or nutrition services. The World Health Organization reports that only 20-30% of health facilities remain functional across Sudan, severely limiting the response capacity to address malnutrition and related health complications.
Famine Conditions Spreading to New Areas
Famine conditions now affect multiple regions of Sudan, with the situation particularly dire in Darfur and Kordofan states. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system has classified several areas as experiencing IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine), the highest level of food insecurity.
Agricultural production has declined by an estimated 70% compared to pre-conflict levels, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Displacement of farming communities, destruction of crops, and limited access to seeds and fertilizers have severely compromised food production capacity. For more context on global food security challenges, see our global health coverage.
Children Bear the Heaviest Burden
Children represent the most vulnerable population in Sudan’s food crisis, with malnutrition rates reaching alarming levels. UNICEF data shows that severe acute malnutrition among children under five has increased by 45% since the conflict began in April 2023. Without immediate intervention, thousands of children face life-threatening complications.
The crisis extends beyond immediate hunger to long-term developmental impacts. Chronic malnutrition during critical early years can cause irreversible stunting and cognitive impairment, affecting an entire generation of Sudanese children. Access to therapeutic nutrition programs remains critically limited, with many treatment centers forced to close due to insecurity. Our migration and health section covers similar displacement-related health challenges globally.
Nearly 755,000 children under five face severe acute malnutrition that puts them at immediate risk of death without urgent intervention
— UNICEF Sudan Crisis Response Team (UNICEF Press Release, 2024)
Key takeaways
- 19.5 million people in Sudan face acute food insecurity, representing 40% of the population
- 755,000 children under five are severely malnourished and at immediate risk of death
- Agricultural production has declined 70% due to conflict, severely limiting food availability
- Only 20-30% of health facilities remain functional, hampering nutrition intervention capacity
Frequently asked questions
What defines acute food insecurity versus famine?
Acute food insecurity refers to any level of food insecurity that represents a threat to lives or livelihoods, while famine is the most extreme phase where starvation, death, and destitution are evident among the population. Famine is declared when specific thresholds for malnutrition, mortality, and food access are exceeded simultaneously.
How does conflict specifically impact child nutrition?
Conflict disrupts food systems, destroys health infrastructure, and displaces families from their homes and livelihoods. Children are particularly vulnerable because they require consistent nutrition for proper development, and even short periods of severe malnutrition can have lasting effects on growth and cognitive development.
What interventions are most effective in addressing severe acute malnutrition?
Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) and specialized nutrition programs are the most effective treatments for severe acute malnutrition. However, these require functioning health systems and trained personnel, both of which are severely limited in conflict-affected areas like Sudan.
The international community faces mounting pressure to scale up humanitarian assistance and negotiate humanitarian access corridors to reach the most vulnerable populations. Without immediate action, Sudan’s food crisis threatens to become one of the most severe famines in recent history, with long-lasting consequences for an entire generation of children.
Source: Risk of Famine persists as nearly 19.5 million people face acute food insecurity in Sudan
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Medically reviewed by Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD. Spotted an error? Contact the editorial team.
